Chocolate-Orange Mousse

Rich, frosting-like mousse is utterly delicious--for about two spoonfuls. Yet light and silky versions often lack decent chocolate flavor. Could we have the best of both worlds?

YIELD 6 to 8 (Makes 3 1/2 cups)

TIME 35 minutes, plus 12 hours steeping and 2 hours chilling

Chocolate-Orange Mousse photo

Why This Recipe Works

Gather Your Ingredients

Key Equipment

Key Equipment - The Best Rasp Graters
Key Equipment - All-Purpose Whisks

Before You Begin

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A handheld mixer can easily do the job of a standing mixer in this recipe, though mixing times may vary slightly. Garnish each serving of mousse with a thin strip of orange zest, if desired. This recipe contains raw or undercooked eggs, which comes with inherent risks. To learn more about food safety, check out this guide.

Instructions

1.

Bring heavy cream to simmer in medium saucepan. Remove from heat and transfer to liquid measuring cup; add 3 strips of orange zest (each about 2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide). Cool until just warm, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Remove and discard zest; add more heavy cream, if necessary, to replace any evaporation loss.

2.

Melt chocolate, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and water in medium heatproof bowl set over saucepan filled with 1 inch of barely simmering water, stirring frequently until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in Grand Marnier.

3.

Whisk egg yolks, 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, and salt in medium bowl until mixture lightens in color and thickens slightly, about 30 seconds. Pour melted chocolate into egg mixture and whisk until thoroughly combined. Let cool until slightly warmer than room temperature, 3 to 5 minutes.

4.

In clean bowl of standing mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat egg whites at medium-low speed until frothy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, increase mixer speed to medium-high, and beat until soft peaks form when whisk is lifted, about 1 minute. Detach whisk and bowl from mixer and whisk last few strokes by hand, making sure to scrape any unbeaten whites from bottom of bowl. Using whisk, stir about one-quarter of beaten egg whites into chocolate mixture to lighten it; gently fold in remaining egg whites with rubber spatula until a few white streaks remain.

5.

Whip orange-flavored cream at medium speed until it begins to thicken, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to high and whip until soft peaks form when whisk is lifted, about 15 seconds longer. Using rubber spatula, gently fold whipped cream into mousse until no white streaks remain. Spoon mousse into 6 to 8 individual serving dishes or goblets. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set and firm, at least 2 hours. (The mousse may be covered and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.)

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